Japan awards PAFFREL, CPA $108K for election work

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 02 November 2005, 11:30 GMT]
During a signing Ceremony of the "Projects for Monitoring the Presidential Election 2005," Wednesday, H. E. Mr. Akio Suda, Ambassador of Japan, on behalf of his government gave Rs 10.85m to People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) and Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) to "facilitate conducting fair elections."

Full text of the press release issued by the Embassy of Japan follows:

Japan Calls for Undisturbed Free Poll and Provides Rs. 10.85 million to PAFFREL and CPA

The Government of Japan has provided a sum of USD 107,842 (approximately Rs. 10.85 million) to People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) and Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) to facilitate the conducting of a free and fair Presidential Election on the 17th November 2005. PAFFREL and CPA are the two main organizations involved in election monitoring activities.

At this occasion, H. E. Mr. Akio Suda, Ambassador of Japan, called for “an undisturbed free and fair election in all over the Island including the Northern and the Eastern Provinces”, stating that “the friends of Sri Lanka including Japan are keeping close eyes on the conduct of the election, so that people can cast their votes without fear of violence or disturbances, and that people’s free wills can be reflected to the outcome of the voting”.

Out of the total grant, USD 49,775 (approximately Rs. 5 million) was provided to PAFFREL to use for their campaigning for free and fair election and monitoring work in the up-coming elections. The grant will be mainly utilized for preparation of documentation for election monitors and media advocacy campaign.

Further, USD 58,067 (approximately Rs. 5.8 million) was extended to CPA to be used for monitoring of election related malpractices and violence and also for the production of material for creating awareness among the people aimed at eliminating violence and promoting free and faire election.

The decision to support election monitoring is in accordance with the principles of the Japanese Government in promoting democracy in developing countries, based on the concept of partnership for the promotion of democracy, good governance and safe guarding of basic human rights and freedom for the people.

The signing of the Grant Contracts took place at the Ambassador’s Official Residence on the 2nd November 2005 between H. E. Mr. Akio Suda, Ambassador of Japan and Mr. Kingsley Rodrigo, Chairman, PAFFREL and Dr. P. Saravanamuttu, Executive Director, CPA. Other distinguished guests were also present at the ceremony.